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The companyA Forensic Document Examiner conducts handwriting analysis and altered documents examinations upon documents where questions have been raised about their authorship or authenticity. This is a forensic science specialized in the numerous examinations of documents. Forensic Document Examiners provide these services with their specific skill set derived from experience and extensive training.
The examination of a document aims to answer questions about it such as its authorship (handwriting analysis), authenticity and/or origin (altered documents), which includes its manner of production, deciphering a portion of it that has been erased or altered, and even bringing into view latent (hidden) but important writing impressed upon a document.
Forensic Document Examinations services have proven to be indispensable in the conduct of various civil, criminal, and administrative matters. This multifaceted, highly-specialized forensic discipline offers a plethora of different kinds of services that can fill the gaps and provide answers to aid in settling disputes or solving crimes in cases involving handwriting analysis, altered documents, etc.
Handwriting & signature comparison analysis
Handwriting analysis, including signatures, involves the assessment of individualizing characteristics that can be identified with a particular person. Handwriting and signature comparison analyses are based on the principle of individuality, where no two individuals have the exact same combination of handwriting or signature characteristics. Forensic Document Examiners examine numerous aspects of writing for these comparisons in accordance with SWGDOC industry standards.
IMPRESSED WRITING
Impressed writing, also known as indented writing, can be visible, partially visible, or invisible to the naked eye or with side-lighting. There are, however, instruments through which a non-destructive technique is applied to a document to illuminate and make a record of any such impressed writing. Many types of questioned documents cases should be examined for such evidence. Does a page suspected of being substituted in a will, medical record, or insurance claim contain an impression of the previous page’s genuine writing? Does a suicide, robbery, or ransom note contain valuable impressed writing?
OBLITERATIONS
Obliterations are acts conducted by individuals to overwrite (scratch out) or block out (white-out) certain writing deliberately. Numerous opaque materials can obliterate specific writing on documents. Obliterations are classified as one of the most apparent alterations to documents and questions arise as to what text was that has been obliterated. A forensic document examiner can, aside from identifying obliterations, also decipher the previously written portions.
ALTERATIONS
Altered documents are accomplished by modifying essential parts of the original documents. This may include substituting one page for another or substituting or inserting written or computer-generated texts or signatures (copy-paste), which may be with underlying fraudulent goals. The Forensic Document Examiner will assess staple marks, punch holes, paper clip impressions, type alignment, etc., and also use specialized techniques like IR and UV wavelengths, or other lighting and magnification techniques to aid in the assessment of suspected altered documents.
COURT TESTIMONY & PRESENTATIONS
Court testimony and presentations need to be of the highest credibility and professionalism. Testimony and presentations are provided in accordance with internationally accepted practices within the Forensic Document Examination community. Technical testimony with visual aids regarding the results of examinations can be provided and are often received in the courts as substantial and convincing evidence.
INTEGRAL PARTS MATCHING
What is integral parts matching? Think of shredded papers where each shred of paper was once an integral part of the other pieces and of a larger document. Even hand-ripped documents may require the expertise of an examiner to provide proof in court as to the matching of the paper fibers where the document was torn. Perhaps one wants to know if a trash bag found at a crime scene was once an integral part of the box of trash bags located in a suspect’s home.
PAPER ANALYSIS
Paper analysis includes a series of examinations that can be conducted by a Forensic Document Examiner. An analysis of a document can bear significant relevant information that can support a contention that a page was substituted in a contract. Paper examinations can include assessments of flourescence, depth, watermarks, and even the paper’s fibers to uncover relevant information.
INK ANALYSIS
Analysis of a document’s ink can relate valuable information. Initially, a non-destructive technique can be applied to determine whether two inked entries have similar or differing properties. If similar properties are determined in the non-destructive technique, additional, partially destructive tests can be conducted by partner specialists.
Have a Suspicious Document?
Do you need Forensic Document Examination services for your current case of concern? Do you need answers quickly on how to proceed? Most questioned documents cases can be conducted remotely, so wherever you are and whatever case you have, contact me and we’ll arrange the details together!